Looking for a laptop to run CAD on and have never used the program before. The minimum specs call for 1600 x 1050 resolution, but most laptops I am looking at are 1600×900 or 1920×1080.
Are one of these going to be better than the other specifically for use with CAD. Will be getting a 17″ screen.
First of all, what program are you looking at? I may have a few suggestions that are more cost effective or easier to use. I know quite a few different CAD programs.
Secondly, the computer with the highest resolution will be the best one you can buy. I personally use a laptop with a 17.5″ screen, 1920 x 1024, and sometimes I still wish the resolution were greater.
Also, what are you going to be using it for? That has a lot to do with which program you are selecting, as does the type and style computer that you are getting. Some programs require a much more powerful computer than others.
Dragon ‘Em In
I run a 1600 x 900 on my laptop at home, but don’t do much work at home anymore. It is just fine. However if you are going to be utilizing it from a desktop, without question, go with dual monitors!
Quote:
First of all, what program are you looking at? I may have a few suggestions that are more cost effective or easier to use. I know quite a few different CAD programs.
Secondly, the computer with the highest resolution will be the best one you can buy. I personally use a laptop with a 17.5″ screen, 1920 x 1024, and sometimes I still wish the resolution were greater.
Also, what are you going to be using it for? That has a lot to do with which program you are selecting, as does the type and style computer that you are getting. Some programs require a much more powerful computer than others.
Dragon ‘Em In
X2
Get best Resolution and most Memory possible. But all depends on program and what your usage will be for.
If you’re running simple AutoCAD and creating/editting simple 2d line drawings, you can get by with less but more RAM and the Highest Resolution is better.
If you run AutoCAD Civil 3D and work on large complex projects, you’ll want 8Gb of RAM minimum.
See C3D 64Bit requirements:
For 64-Bit AutoCAD Civil 3D 2013Windows 7 (recommended) Enterprise, Ultimate, or Professional edition or Windows XP Professional edition (SP2 or later)
AMD Athlon™ 64 processor with SSE2 technology, AMD Opteron™ processor with SSE2 technology, Intel® Xeon processor with Intel EM64T support and SSE2, or Intel Pentium 4 with Intel EM64T support and SSE2 technology
4 GB RAM minimum (8 GB recommended)
12 GB disk space for installation (7 GB for electronic download with at least 2 GB free after installation)
1,280 x 1,024 true color video display adapter (1,600 x 1,200 with true color recommended, multiple monitors are supported)
Internet Explorer 7.0 or later
DVD drive
You should consult your software website for recommended requirements, always, go over recommended, Never get just minimum.
Many CADD Packages now require or offer 64-Bit programs, a Laptop should be 64-Bit capable.
I have 8-Gb Ram on a 64-Bit Windows 7 system and can connect to my 32 flat screen TV at home, great setup.
User groups have lots of information, here is the one I belong to and attend.
Mn Civil 3D User Group link
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We have a meeting next week, you can check webite or pm me for information.
This laptop is for my mother in law. She is a retired civil engineer but is taking some classes to learn CAD for the following:
-Residential Architecture (3D?)
-Revit (3D?)
-Intro to Civil CAD
The specs she gave me from her school included 1600 x 1050 display, but that’s not very common as far as I know in laptops. Just trying to find something that will work for her in the $1000-$2000 range….if possible. Must be i7, 8 gb RAM min, dedicate graphics.
Looking at a Toshiba Cosmio X875Q7290. The Dell Precision M6600 is pricing out around $2400. Open to other suggestions (Asus, Lenovo?) No a fan of Acer or HP.
I purchased a laptop with those specs, and i7 processor, 8 gb ram, 1920 x 1024 display, 17.5″ screen, and a 1 TB hard drive for $900 at costco about 6 mths ago. You don’t need to spend over $1000 if you look around. I’m not real familiar with those cad programs, but a bit bigger resolution screen will be fine. Here’s a link to a machine similar to mine.
Also, DO NOT BUY DELL. Their laptops fail just after their warranty period runs out. The best laptops are Toshiba and HP. I’ve also been hearing good things about ASUS, but stay AWAY from ACER (they are cheap and break easy).
Dragon ‘Em In
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I purchased a laptop with those specs, and i7 processor, 8 gb ram, 1920 x 1024 display, 17.5″ screen, and a 1 TB hard drive for $900 at costco about 6 mths ago. You don’t need to spend over $1000 if you look around. I’m not real familiar with those cad programs, but a bit bigger resolution screen will be fine. Here’s a link to a machine similar to mine.
Also, DO NOT BUY DELL. Their laptops fail just after their warranty period runs out. The best laptops are Toshiba and HP. I’ve also been hearing good things about ASUS, but stay AWAY from ACER (they are cheap and break easy).
Dragon ‘Em In
Thanks for the info, I will check out the laptops at Costco…never thought to look there. Not a fan of HP or Acer machines in any wayso those are out, but I agree with Toshiba and that’s what I run personally. I work IT for a large medical device co and support 50+ Dell machines….so I know Dell machines fairly well and we have had pretty decent success with their higher end laptops (they are too expensive anyways so are pretty much out of the picture).
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